Ineza Foundation celebrates International Literacy Day with students in Shyorongi

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

Shyorongi, Rwanda – September 8, 2025 — Ineza Foundation joined students and teachers at Groupe Scolaire Shyorongi to mark International Literacy Day, a celebration dedicated to promoting reading and writing skills among children.

Janvier Niyonsaba, Program Coordinator at Ineza Foundation, said the day coincides with the beginning of school holidays, a period when the organization runs its Urumuli Holidays Fest program.

“During the holidays, we engage children in activities linked to reading and writing, such as storytelling, creative writing, drawing, composing poems, and discovering other talents. Before the end of the holidays, we organize a reading and writing competition, and the best performers are awarded on International Literacy Day.

We chose to celebrate here because about 98 percent of our participating students come from this school. Throughout the holidays, we accompany them and prepare them to begin the new academic year with improved skills in reading and writing across different styles and disciplines. We receive at least two containers of books every year, which we distribute for free. Today, we encourage everyone to read and to strengthen the culture of reading,” he said.

SEBAGENI Athanase, Head Teacher of Groupe Scolaire Shyorongi, welcomed the initiative, noting that it comes at the right time.

“We are very happy to celebrate this day, and we thank Ineza Foundation for bringing it to our school. It coincides with the beginning of the new academic year 2025–2026, reminding children of the importance of reading and writing. The books we received will help both learners and teachers to strengthen group work in reading, thereby improving the quality of education.

We also hope Ineza Foundation continues to advocate for us to have a decent library, with shelves, tables, and chairs, so that children can read freely in a conducive environment,” he said.

Students, too, shared their testimonies on how the reading programs have transformed their learning experience.

“I benefited a lot from the knowledge I gained. At first, I could not manage to read, but today I can even score more than 50 percent in exams, which was impossible before. I encourage my fellow children to visit Ineza Foundation and other libraries to make use of books,” said one young girl.

 “I discovered the benefits of reading back in 2024. It helped me overcome fear, because before I could not take a book and read it in front of my classmates. Now I am confident, and reading has made a big difference in my life.” Another student, a young boy, added.

Ineza Foundation currently operates in three main locations: Shyorongi–Rulindo, Gisozi (headquarters), and Jabana in Gasabo at the Bookstore.

             

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